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Hillel pulled away, still clutching Lia’s hands "When are we to leave? Tonight?"

Lia was dazed at the response, confused by her initial reaction She ary though, her experience with betrayal re her of how uncertain friendship appeared to be "I do not know We must be cautious, for the tide prevents any rash departures Look at you though How changed you are"

The other girl nodded in agreement "They took all of my clothes, Lia They promised to launder thehtit, but I have nothing else More than anything, I long to be away froo immediately Do you have a way out? A way to escape?"

Lia noddedof uneasiness again Lia shook her head "The plan is still being formed I needed to find you and see that I could reach you It would be best if we could leave in the earlyThe city sleeps late and there would not be many witnesses"

She nodded enthusiastically "Yes! Yes, wethat Of course you have told him He was so different today, and I could not reason why There was a look in his eye – a hope that I had not seen earlier Do you knohat has happened, Lia? The Earl of Dieyre is here!"

"I know – it is impossible how quickly he travels He ca with e and heal the rift between our factions The deal was struck and "

"It is a lie," Lia said "I left your uncle a few days ago Dieyre was a prisoner in Pent Tower and ripped her shoulders "The Blight is coht There are only a few more days to leave before it strikes, and it strikes here first We"Colvin and II have delivered the e, but they do not believe it They think the Alderhten us all They say so much about him here The Aldermaston of Dochte – he said that he ait until the High Seer of Avinion rules on the matter He says that Muirill be stripped of its Aldermaston and a new Aldermaston will co to force down her anger "I do like seaet to the ships, Ellowyn We reeo to Billerbeck Abbey Colvin wishes to see his Aldermaston one last time and warn him to flee We will try and persuade him to come with us The Alder"

"Very well," Lia said, still uncertain how to interpret Hillel’s actions and her words "There is a secret way out of this tower"

"The steps, yes…I have seen the in her eyes – soarden?"

"Goodness, no! The steps are so narrow and there is no railing It terrifies me to think of it But the Medium has whispered to me that my escape lies that way That I must brave the steps if I aardens, down the slopes of the hill I have heard that there are snakes in the woods Poisonous snakes With a hunter, I will not be afraid to face the sht An idea struck a chord within her "Can you get a e to Colvin?"

Hillel smiled demurely "I will see hiht I will co the fete, I want you to feign illness and coive us et away before the dawn Dise that for too? Do you have a ship waiting for us? They would hunt us, I aet away quickly"

"Leave that to irl nodded with enthusiasrateful you ca for you too and warn Colvin I know he is anxious to depart"